Patent application title: METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ROUTING PHONE CALL AUDIO THROUGH HANDSET OR HEADSET

Abstract:

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for routing received telephone call
audio through a mobile phone handset or associated wireless headset are
described. The handset is configured to wirelessly communicate with a
headset. An audio signal is received that is generated by a microphone of
the handset or headset. The audio signal is compared to a reference
signal to generate an audio source determination. In a first aspect, the
comparison is performed in the handset. In an alternative aspect, the
comparison is performed in the headset. One of the handset or headset is
selected to provide further audio information associated with a received
telephone call based on the audio source determination.

Claims:

1. A mobile phone handset, comprising:a first microphone;a communication
interface configured to wirelessly communicate with a headset; anda
compare logic configured to compare a received audio signal to a
reference signal to generate an audio source determination;wherein one of
the first microphone and a second microphone located in the headset is
selected to provide further received audio information associated with a
received telephone call based on the audio source determination.

3. The mobile phone handset of claim 1, wherein the communication
interface is configured to wirelessly communicate with the headset
according to a Bluetooth communication protocol.

4. The mobile phone handset of claim 1, wherein the audio signal includes
voice information associated with the received telephone call received by
the first microphone and the reference signal is a predetermined
threshold level.

5. The mobile phone handset of claim 1, wherein a second audio signal is
received by the mobile phone handset through the communication
interface;wherein the second audio signal includes voice information
associated with the received telephone call that is received by the
second microphone; andwherein the audio signal includes voice information
associated with the received telephone call that is received by the first
microphone and the reference signal is the second audio signal.

6. The mobile phone handset of claim 1, wherein the audio signal is
received by the mobile phone handset through the communication interface;
andwherein the audio signal includes voice information associated with
the received telephone call received by the second microphone and the
reference signal is a predetermined threshold level.

7. The mobile phone handset of claim 1, further comprising:an answer
switch configured to be interacted with by a user to answer a telephone
call received on the mobile phone, wherein the answer switch is
configured to enable the compare logic to perform the compare.

8. The mobile phone handset of claim 1, further comprising:a baseband
processor module that includes the compare logic.

9. A headset, comprising:a first microphone;a communication interface
configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile phone handset; anda
compare logic configured to compare a received audio signal to a
reference signal to generate an audio source determination;wherein one of
the first microphone and a second microphone located in the mobile phone
handset is selected to provide further received audio information
associated with a received telephone call based on the audio source
determination.

10. The headset of claim 9, wherein the communication interface is
configured to communicate with the mobile phone handset according to a
Bluetooth communication protocol.

11. The headset of claim 9, wherein the audio signal includes voice
information associated with the received telephone call received by the
first microphone and the reference signal is a predetermined threshold
level.

12. The headset of claim 9, wherein a second audio signal is received by
the headset through the communication interface;wherein the second audio
signal includes voice information associated with the received telephone
call that is received by the second microphone; andwherein the audio
signal includes voice information associated with the received telephone
call that is received by the first microphone and the reference signal is
the second audio signal.

13. The headset of claim 9, wherein the audio signal is received by the
headset through the communication interface; andwherein the audio signal
includes voice information associated with the received telephone call
received by the second microphone and the reference signal is a
predetermined threshold level.

14. The headset of claim 9, wherein the compare logic is configured to be
enabled by a call answer signal received from the mobile phone.

15. The headset of claim 9, further comprising:a baseband processor module
that includes the compare logic.

16. A method in a mobile phone handset for routing audio related to a
telephone call, the mobile phone handset including a first microphone and
being configured to wirelessly communicate with a headset,
comprising:receiving an audio signal;comparing the audio signal to a
reference signal to generate an audio source determination;selecting one
of the first microphone and a second microphone located in the headset to
provide further audio information associated with a received telephone
call based on the audio source determination.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the reference signal is a
predetermined threshold level, wherein said receiving comprises:receiving
voice information associated with the received telephone call at the
first microphone; andgenerating the audio signal from the received voice
information;wherein said comparing comprises:comparing the audio signal
to the predetermined threshold level to generate the audio source
determination.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the reference signal is a second audio
signal, wherein said receiving comprises:receiving voice information
associated with the received telephone call at the first microphone;
andgenerating the first audio signal from the received voice
information;wherein said comparing comprises:receiving the second audio
signal from the headset, wherein the second audio signal includes voice
information associated with the received telephone call received by the
second microphone; andcomparing the first audio signal to the second
audio signal to generate the audio source determination.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the reference signal is a
predetermined threshold level, wherein said receiving comprises:receiving
the audio signal from the headset, wherein the audio signal includes
voice information associated with the received telephone call received by
the second microphone;wherein said comparing comprises:comparing the
audio signal to the predetermined threshold level to generate the audio
source determination.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:receiving an indication of
an interaction by a user with an answer switch of the mobile phone to
answer the received telephone call on the mobile phone; andenabling the
compare logic to perform the compare based on the received indication.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising:disabling a one of the
first microphone and the second microphone that was not selected to
provide further received audio information associated with the received
telephone call.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein said comparing comprises:comparing an
energy of the audio signal to the reference signal to generate the audio
source determination.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein said comparing comprises:comparing an
amplitude of the audio signal to the reference signal to generate the
audio source determination.

24. A method in a headset for routing audio related to a telephone call,
the headset including a first microphone and being configured to
wirelessly communicate with a mobile phone handset, comprising:receiving
an audio signal;comparing the audio signal to a reference signal to
generate an audio source determination;selecting one of the first
microphone and a second microphone located in the mobile phone handset to
provide further audio information associated with a received telephone
call based on the audio source determination.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the reference signal is a
predetermined threshold level, wherein said receiving comprises:receiving
voice information associated with the received telephone call at the
first microphone; andgenerating the audio signal from the received voice
information;wherein said comparing comprises:comparing the audio signal
to the predetermined threshold level to generate the audio source
determination.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the reference signal is a second audio
signal, wherein said receiving comprises:receiving voice information
associated with the received telephone call at the first microphone;
andgenerating the first audio signal from the received voice
information;wherein said comparing comprises:receiving the second audio
signal from the mobile phone handset, wherein the second audio signal
includes voice information associated with the received telephone call
received by the second microphone; andcomparing the first audio signal to
the second audio signal to generate the audio source determination.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the reference signal is a
predetermined threshold level, wherein said receiving comprises:receiving
the audio signal from the mobile phone handset, wherein the audio signal
includes voice information associated with the received telephone call
received by the second microphone;wherein said comparing
comprisescomparing the audio signal to the predetermined threshold level
to generate the audio source determination.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising:receiving an indication of
an interaction by a user with an answer switch of the mobile phone to
answer the received telephone call on the mobile phone; andenabling the
compare logic to perform the compare based on the received indication.

29. The method of claim 24, further comprising:disabling a one of the
first microphone and the second microphone that was not selected to
provide further received audio information associated with the received
telephone call.

Description:

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No.
60/950,251, filed Jul. 17, 2007, which is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Field of the Invention

[0003]The present invention relates to mobile phones that communicate with
wireless headsets, and more particularly to telephone call routing with
regard to mobile phones and wireless headsets.

[0004]2. Background Art

[0005]Wireless headsets are being increasingly used by persons in
combination with mobile phones. For example, BLUETOOTH wireless headsets
are in wide use today with BLUETOOTH-enabled mobile phones. A variety of
styles of wireless headsets exist. Frequently, a wireless headset is
secured over an ear of a user, to position a speaker of the headset
adjacent to the user's ear. A boom that contains a microphone may extend
from the headset toward the mouth of the user to capture voice
information from the user.

[0006]A common problem exists for users in answering telephone calls with
the mobile phone-wireless headset combination. When a mobile phone user
picks up the mobile phone to answer a telephone call, the mobile phone
will typically page the headset and connect to the headset, and audio
related to the telephone call is automatically routed to the headset. If
the user cannot immediately locate the headset and/or cannot immediately
install the headset on his/her ear, the user is often unable to hear or
speak with the remote party. This is a serious nuisance to the user.

[0007]Thus, what is desired is an improved way for users to answer
telephone calls received on a mobile phone that operates with a headset.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008]Methods, systems, and apparatuses for routing received telephone
call audio received by a mobile phone handset-wireless headset
combination are described. The handset is configured to wirelessly
communicate with the headset. An audio signal associated with a received
telephone call is generated. The audio signal is compared to a reference
signal to generate an audio source determination. In a first aspect, the
comparison is performed in the handset. In an alternative aspect, the
comparison is performed in the headset. One of the handset or headset is
selected to receive routing of subsequent audio information associated
with the received telephone call based on the audio source determination.

[0009]In one example, the audio signal is generated by a microphone in the
mobile phone handset from voice information received by the microphone at
the handset. In such an example, the reference signal may be a
predetermined threshold value or may be a second audio signal generated
by a microphone in the headset from voice information.

[0010]In another example, the audio signal is generated by the microphone
in the headset from voice information received by the microphone in the
headset. In such an example, the reference signal may be a predetermined
threshold value or may be a second audio signal generated by the
microphone in the mobile phone handset from voice information.

[0011]In an example further aspect, one of the microphone of the handset
and the microphone of the headset that was not selected to provide
further audio associated with the received telephone call may optionally
be disabled.

[0012]An attribute of the audio signal may be compared to the reference
signal to generate the audio source determination, such as an amplitude,
sound energy at specific frequencies, average power, or other relevant
attribute of the audio signal.

[0013]In another aspect of the present invention, a mobile phone handset
is provided. The mobile phone handset includes a microphone, a
communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with a
headset, and compare logic. The compare logic is configured to compare an
audio signal generated by the microphone (or a microphone of the headset)
to a reference signal to generate an audio source determination. One of
the handset microphone and a second microphone located in the headset is
selected to provide further received audio information associated with a
received telephone call based on the audio source determination.

[0014]In still another aspect of the present invention, a wireless headset
is provided. The wireless headset includes a microphone, a communication
interface configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile phone
handset, and compare logic. The compare logic is configured to compare an
audio signal generated by the microphone (or a microphone of the handset)
to a reference signal to generate an audio source determination. One of
the headset microphone and a second microphone located in the mobile
phone handset is selected to provide further received audio information
associated with a received telephone call based on the audio source
determination.

[0015]These and other objects, advantages and features will become readily
apparent in view of the following detailed description of the invention.
Note that the Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more,
but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as
contemplated by the inventor(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

[0016]The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a
part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together
with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the
invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and
use the invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 shows a flowchart providing example steps in a mobile phone
handset for routing audio related to a telephone call, according to
example embodiments of the present invention.

[0019]FIGS. 3-5 show system block diagrams for determining telephone call
audio routing, according to example embodiments of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 6 shows a flowchart providing example steps in a wireless
headset for routing audio related to a telephone call, according to
example embodiments of the present invention.

[0021]FIGS. 7 and 8 show system block diagrams for determining telephone
call audio, routing, according to example embodiments of the present
invention.

[0022]FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of an example cell phone in which an
embodiment of the present invention may be implemented.

[0023]FIGS. 10 and 11 show audio signal compare logic implemented in cell
phone digital and analog baseband sections, according to example
embodiments of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of an example BLUETOOTH headset in
which an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented.

[0025]FIG. 13 shows audio signal compare logic implemented in a BLUETOOTH
headset processor, according to an example embodiment of the present
invention.

[0026]The present invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate
identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most
digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the
reference number first appears.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Introduction

[0027]The present specification discloses one or more embodiments that
incorporate the features of the invention. The disclosed embodiment(s)
merely exemplify the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited
to the disclosed embodiment(s). The invention is defined by the claims
appended hereto.

[0028]References in the specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment
described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic,
but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,
structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily
referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an
embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one
skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic
in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0029]Furthermore, it should be understood that spatial descriptions
(e.g., "above," "below," "up," "left," "right," "down," "top," "bottom,"
"vertical," "horizontal," etc.) used herein are for purposes of
illustration only, and that practical implementations of the structures
described herein can be spatially arranged in any orientation or manner.

Conventional Mobile Phone--Wireless Headset System

[0030]As described above, mobile phones are being more frequently used
with wireless headsets. FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating an example
conventional mobile phone and wireless headset communication system 100.
As shown in the example of FIG. 1, a user 102 carries a mobile phone
handset 104 and wears a wireless headset 106. Not all features of mobile
phone handset 104 and wireless headset 106 are necessarily shown in FIG.
1, for reasons of brevity. As shown in FIG. 1, mobile phone handset 104
includes an answer button 118, a microphone 122, and an antenna 124.
Wireless headset 106 includes a body 128, a boom 110, a microphone 112,
an answer button 120, and an antenna 126.

[0031]Wireless headset 106 is attached to an ear 108 of user 102, to
position a speaker of wireless headset 106 adjacent to his/her ear 108.
For example, wireless headset 106 may include an ear hook (not shown)
that hooks over ear 108 to secure wireless headset 106 to user 102.
Alternatively, wireless headset 106 may be an "in ear" style (e.g., an
"ear bud" or "canalphone") that plugs directly into an ear canal of ear
108. Boom 110 may extend from body 128 of headset 106 toward the mouth of
user 102 to capture voice information from user 102 at microphone 112.
Alternatively, microphone 112 may be located in a portion of body 128
adjacent to ear 108, and boom 110 may not be present.

[0033]User 102 is not necessarily always wearing wireless headset 106 as
shown in FIG. 1. For example, when not using wireless headset 106, user
102 may remove wireless headset 106 from ear 108 and place wireless
headset 106 in a pocket, on a desk, dresser or other surface, in a purse,
etc. Thus, when mobile phone handset 104 receives telephone call 114, and
automatically routes call audio to wireless headset 106, if user 102
cannot immediately locate or install wireless headset 106 on ear 108,
user 102 is unable to hear or speak with the remote party initiating
telephone call 114. This can be a serious nuisance to user 102, where
voice information related to telephone call 114 may not be received by
user 102, the remote party may hang up, etc.

[0034]The following section describes example embodiments of the present
invention which overcome these deficiencies of conventional mobile
phone-wireless headset combinations.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0035]The example embodiments described herein are provided for
illustrative purposes, and are not limiting. The examples described
herein may be adapted to any type of mobile phone and wireless headset.
Further structural and operational embodiments, including
modifications/alterations, will become apparent to persons skilled in the
relevant art(s) from the teachings herein.

[0036]Typically, a user answers a telephone call either by answering the
call at the mobile phone handset or at the wireless headset. For example,
in FIG. 1, user 102 may push answer button 118 on mobile phone handset
104 or answer button 120 on wireless headset 106 to initiate answering
the telephone call. When user 102 initiates answering telephone call 114
by interacting with wireless headset 106, it is highly likely that user
102 wishes to route the audio related to telephone call 114 through
wireless headset 106. In the case where user 102 initiates answering
telephone call 114 by interacting with mobile phone handset 104, it is
not always clear whether user 102 will be speaking into handset 104 or
into headset 106. Thus, in this case, when audio is automatically routed
through headset 106 in a conventional manner, this may cause problems for
user 102 in answering telephone call 114.

[0037]According to embodiments of the present invention, to determine
whether to route audio related to the telephone call to the mobile phone
handset or to the mobile phone headset, a measure of the audio signal
energy (or other signal attribute) is taken from a microphone of the
handset, a microphone of the headset, and/or from both microphones. The
measured audio signal energy is used to determine whether to route the
audio related to the telephone call through the mobile phone handset or
the wireless headset. Embodiments are described below for mobile phone
handsets and wireless headsets that are configured for call routing.

[0038]For example, FIG. 2 shows a flowchart 200 providing example steps in
a mobile phone handset for routing audio related to a telephone call,
according to example embodiments of the present invention. Other
structural and operational embodiments will be apparent to persons
skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the following discussion.

[0039]Flowchart 200 begins with step 202. In step 202, an audio signal
associated with a received telephone call is received. For example, in
FIG. 1, after user 102 initiates answering telephone call 114 on mobile
phone handset 104 (e.g., by pressing answer button 118), user 102
typically voices a greeting, such as "Hello" into microphone 122 of
mobile phone handset 104 or microphone 112 of wireless headset 106. User
102 typically directs his/her voice into the one of mobile phone handset
104 or wireless headset 106 that user 102 intends to use for conducting
telephone call 114, although the voice may be heard more faintly by the
other of mobile phone handset 104 or wireless headset 106 (if on). Thus,
the voice information may be received by one or both microphones, and is
converted into an electrical audio signal by microphone 122 of mobile
phone handset 104 and/or by microphone 112 of wireless headset 106.

[0040]In step 204, the audio signal is compared to a reference signal to
generate an audio source determination. In an embodiment of flowchart
200, the audio signal is compared to a reference signal in the mobile
phone handset to determine into which of the handset or headset the voice
information was directed by the user. For instance, in an embodiment, the
reference signal is a predetermined threshold value, and the audio signal
may be generated from voice information received at the handset or
headset. In another embodiment, the reference signal may be a second
audio signal. For example, the first audio signal may be generated from
voice information received at the mobile phone handset, and the second
audio signal may be generated from the voice information received at the
wireless headset. In any event, the compare of the audio signal to the
reference signal is performed in the mobile phone handset to generate a
determination of whether the user is directing voice information into the
microphone of the handset or a microphone of the headset. Example
embodiments for performing step 204 using compare logic are described in
further detail below with regard to FIGS. 3-5.

[0041]In step 206, one of a first microphone of the handset and a second
microphone of the headset is selected to provide further audio
information associated with the received telephone call based on the
audio source determination. Likewise, one of a first speaker of the
handset and a second speaker of the headset may be selected for
outputting sound audio. If it is determined from step 204 that the voice
information was directed by the user into the mobile phone handset, audio
related to the telephone call is routed through the mobile phone handset.
Conversely, if it is determined from step 204 that the voice information
was directed by the user into the wireless headset, audio related to the
telephone call is routed through the wireless headset.

[0042]In an embodiment, once it is determined which of the mobile phone
handset or wireless headset is to be used to route audio related to the
telephone call, audio may be optionally disabled in the other of the
mobile phone handset or wireless headset for the remainder of the
telephone call.

[0043]In an embodiment, before determination is made to which of the
mobile phone handset or wireless headset the audio should be routed,
audio related to the telephone call may be routed to both the first
speaker of the handset and the speaker of the headset for a brief period.
This enables the user to receive the audio information regardless of
which speaker the user has placed to his or her ear.

[0044]Embodiments for performing flowchart 200 may be implemented in a
mobile phone handset in a variety of ways. For example, FIGS. 3-5 show
block diagrams of systems for determining the routing of telephone call,
according to example embodiments of the present invention.

[0045]For instance, FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a telephone call
routing system 300, according to an example embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 3, system 300 includes a mobile phone handset
302 and a headset 304. Mobile phone handset 302 includes an answer switch
306, audio signal compare logic 308, a threshold 310, a first microphone
312, a first speaker 314, and a first communication interface 316.
Headset 304 includes a second speaker 318, a second communication
interface 320, and a second microphone 322.

[0046]Answer switch 306 of mobile phone handset 302 is any type of
mechanism that enables a user (e.g., user 102 shown in FIG. 1) to answer
a telephone call (e.g., telephone call 114) using mobile phone handset
302. Thus, for example, answer switch 306 may be included in an answer
button (e.g., answer button 118), a voice activated call-answering
mechanism, a switch that is activated when a user flips open mobile phone
handset 302 (for a flip-phone), or another call answer mechanism that may
be included in mobile phone handset 302.

[0047]Speaker 314 receives an electrical signal containing audio (e.g.,
voice) information received in a telephone call, and outputs
corresponding audio in a well known manner to be heard by the user of
mobile phone handset 302. Speaker 314 may be any type of mobile phone
compatible speaker, and may be located anywhere in mobile phone handset
302 as desired. For example, speaker 314 may be positioned in mobile
phone handset 302 to be located adjacent to a user's ear when the user
speaks into microphone 312 of mobile phone handset 302. Microphone 312
receives voice spoken by the user of mobile phone handset 302, and
converts the voice information to an electrical audio signal in a well
known manner, which is transmitted by mobile phone handset 302 (e.g., by
antenna 124 shown in FIG. 1) back to the remote party engaged in the
telephone call with the user. Microphone 312 may be any type of mobile
phone compatible microphone, and may be located anywhere in mobile phone
handset 302 as desired. For example, microphone 312 may be positioned in
mobile phone handset 302 to be located adjacent to a user's mouth when
the user speaks into mobile phone handset 302.

[0048]A user of mobile phone handset 302 interacts with answer switch 306
to initiate answering an incoming telephone call. Microphone 312 receives
voice information 324 associated with a telephone call. For example, in
an embodiment, voice information 324 is a received greeting, such as
"Hello", from a user of mobile phone handset 302 when first answering the
telephone call. Microphone 312 converts voice information 324 into an
audio signal 326 that contains voice information 324 in electrical form.

[0049]Note that in an embodiment, handset 302 may include speech
recognition software/hardware to more accurately detect a received
greeting, such as "Hello" for English or comparable greeting for any
other language. By detecting such a greeting, handset 302 can better
verify that a telephone call has been initiated.

[0051]For example, in an embodiment, audio signal compare logic 308 may be
configured to compare an energy level of audio signal 326 to threshold
310, which may be a predetermined threshold energy level. Thus, audio
signal compare logic 308 may measure an energy level of audio signal 326.
Audio signal compare logic 308 compares the energy level of audio signal
326 to threshold 310. If the energy level of audio signal 326 is greater
than threshold 310, this indicates that the user of mobile phone handset
302 is likely holding handset 302 relatively close to the user's mouth
while voicing the greeting or other voice information that is received by
microphone 312, as compared to headset 304. Thus, it is assumed that the
user intends to conduct the telephone call while speaking into, and
listening to audio from mobile phone handset 302, rather than using
headset 304 for this purpose. In this case, audio source determination
328 is configured to indicate that audio related to the telephone call is
to be routed through handset 302.

[0052]Alternatively, if the energy level of audio signal 326 was less than
threshold 310, this indicates that mobile phone handset 302 is likely
relatively further from the user's mouth while voicing the greeting or
other voice information that is received by microphone 312, as compared
to headset 304. Thus, it is assumed that the user intends to conduct the
telephone call while speaking into, and listening to audio from headset
304, rather than handset 302. In this case, audio source determination
328 is configured to indicate that audio related to the telephone call is
to be routed through headset 304.

[0053]If the energy level of audio signal 326 is equal to threshold 310,
audio source determination 328 may be configured to indicate that audio
related to the telephone call is to be routed through a predetermined one
of handset 302 or headset 304 as desired. Such handling of the "equal"
condition may be applied to the further embodiments described elsewhere
herein.

[0055]When audio source determination 328 indicates that audio related to
the telephone call is to be routed through headset 304, audio source
determination signal 330 may direct headset 304 to power up, to enable
microphone 322 and/or speaker 318, etc. Subsequent audio related to the
telephone call is routed to and from headset 304 via second communication
interface 320 by first communication interface 316. In such an
embodiment, the user of headset 304 uses speaker 318 to hear audio
related to the telephone call, and uses microphone 322 to provide voice
for the telephone call.

[0056]In an embodiment, headset 304 may be powered up and microphone 322
and speaker 318 may be enabled before audio source determination 328 is
generated. In this embodiment, received telephone audio is briefly routed
to both speaker 318 and speaker 314 simultaneously until audio source
determination 328 is generated. Also in this embodiment, audio signals
from microphones 322 and 324 are combined and transmitted over the
cellular network to the remote caller. This embodiment thus ensures that
audio information is not lost while the audio source determination is
made. Note that this technique for ensuring that audio information is not
lost while making the audio source determination may be applied to any
embodiment described herein, including embodiments described below with
respect to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8.

[0057]In embodiments, first and second communication interfaces 316 and
320 may be configured to communicate with each other in a wireless
fashion according to any suitable communication protocol. For example,
first and second communication interfaces 316 and 320 may each include
one or more radio frequency (RF) receivers, transmitters, and/or
transceivers, as desired. Alternatively, first and second communications
interfaces 316 and 320 may communicate with each other in a near field
communication manner (e.g., using magnetic coupling), or in other manner,
as would be known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). Furthermore,
in an embodiment, first and second communications interfaces 316 and 320
may communicate with each other according to a local area network (LAN)
or personal area network (PAN) communication protocol, such as BLUETOOTH
or other protocol, as would be known to persons skilled in the relevant
art(s).

[0058]FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a telephone call routing system 400,
similar to system 300 shown in FIG. 3, according to an example embodiment
of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, system 400 includes a
mobile phone handset 402 and a headset 404, which are respectively
similar to mobile phone handset 302 and headset 304 shown in FIG. 3, with
some differences provided in the following description.

[0059]In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a user of mobile phone handset 402
interacts with an answer switch 406 to initiate answering an incoming
telephone call. Answer switch 406 generates a call answered signal 410,
which is received by first communication interface 316. First
communication interface 316 transmits a first communication signal 412,
which includes call answered signal 410. First communication signal 412
is received by second communication interface 320 of headset 404.

[0060]Microphone 322 of headset 404 receives voice information 424
associated with the telephone call. For example, in an embodiment, voice
information 424 is a received greeting, such as "Hello", from a user of
headset 404 when first answering the telephone call. Microphone 322
converts voice information 424 into an audio signal 426 that contains
voice information 424 in electrical form.

[0061]In an embodiment, in response to receiving call answered signal 410
at headset 404 (in first communication signal 412), second communication
interface 320 transmits a second communication signal 414 that contains
audio signal 426 in its entirety, or one or more attributes of audio
signal 426 (e.g., in digital form). Alternatively, in another embodiment,
call answered signal 410 is not generated. In such an embodiment, second
communication interface 320 may transmit audio signal 426 to first
communication interface 316 in second communication signal 414 upon
receipt of voice information 424 by microphone 322, without needing to
first receive call answered signal 410.

[0063]For example, in an embodiment, audio signal compare logic 408 may be
configured to compare an energy level of audio signal 426 to threshold
310, which may be a predetermined threshold energy level. Thus, in an
embodiment, audio signal compare logic 408 may measure an energy level of
audio signal 426. Alternatively, audio signal 418 may provide the energy
level (or other attribute) of audio signal 426 in digital or other form.
Audio signal compare logic 408 compares the determined energy level of
audio signal 426 to threshold 310. If the energy level of audio signal
426 is less than threshold 310, this indicates that the user of mobile
phone handset 402 is likely holding handset 402 relatively closer to the
user's mouth while voicing the greeting or other voice information that
is received by microphone 322, as compared to headset 404. Thus, it is
assumed that the user intends to conduct the telephone call while
speaking into, and listening to audio from mobile phone handset 402,
rather than headset 404. In this case, audio source determination 428 is
configured to indicate that audio related to the telephone call is to be
routed through handset 402.

[0064]Alternatively, if the energy level of audio signal 426 was greater
than threshold 310, this indicates that headset 404 is likely relatively
closer to the user's mouth while voicing the greeting or other voice
information that is received by microphone 322, as compared to mobile
phone handset 402. Thus, it is assumed that the user intends to conduct
the telephone call while speaking into, and listening to audio from
headset 404, rather than handset 402. In this case, audio source
determination 428 is configured to indicate that audio related to the
telephone call is to be routed through headset 404.

[0065]In an embodiment, first communication interface 316 receives audio
source determination 428. First communication interface 316 wirelessly
transmits an audio source determination signal 416, which is received by
second communication interface 320 of headset 404. When audio source
determination 428 indicates that audio related to the telephone call is
to be routed through handset 402, audio source determination signal 416
may direct headset 404 to power down, to disable microphone 322 and/or
speaker 318, etc. Alternatively, in another embodiment, when audio source
determination 428 indicates that audio related to the telephone call is
to be routed through handset 402, audio source determination signal 416
is not generated, nor transmitted to headset 404, the call is simply
routed through handset 402 without notifying headset 404.

[0066]When audio source determination 428 indicates that audio related to
the telephone call is to be routed through headset 404, audio source
determination signal 416 may direct headset 404 to power up, to enable
microphone 322 and/or speaker 318, etc. Subsequent audio related to the
telephone call is routed to and from headset 404 via second communication
interface 320 by first communication interface 316. In such an
embodiment, the user of headset 404 uses speaker 318 to hear audio, and
uses microphone 322 to provide voice for the telephone call. Furthermore,
in an embodiment, speaker 314 and microphone 312 of handset 402 may be
disabled, if desired.

[0067]FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a telephone call routing system 500,
similar to system 300 shown in FIG. 3 and system 400 in FIG. 4, according
to an example embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5,
system 500 includes a mobile phone handset 502 and a headset 504, which
are respectively similar to mobile phone handsets 302 and 402 and
headsets 304 and 404, with some differences provided in the following
description.

[0069]Furthermore, answer switch 406 generates call answered signal 410,
which is received by first communication interface 316. First
communication interface 316 transmits first communication signal 412,
which includes call answered signal 410. First communication signal 412
is received by second communication interface 320 of headset 504.

[0070]Microphone 322 of headset 504 receives voice information 424
associated with the telephone call. For example, voice information 424
may be a voice greeting received by handset 502 as voice information 324.
Microphone 322 converts voice information 424 into audio signal 426 that
contains voice information 424 in electrical form. Note that because the
user likely directed the voice greeting into one or the other of
microphones 312 and 322, the corresponding one of voice information 324
and 424 will be received at a higher energy/amplitude/power, while the
other of microphones 312 and 322 will receive the corresponding one of
voice information 324 and 424 at a lower energy/amplitude/power because
it is received at a greater distance, etc.

[0071]In an embodiment, to response to receiving call answered signal 410
at headset 404, second communication interface 320 transmits audio signal
426 (or one or more attributes thereof) to first communication interface
316 in second communication signal 414. Alternatively, as described above
in another embodiment, headset audio request signal 410 does not need to
be generated.

[0073]For example, in an embodiment, audio signal compare logic 508 may be
configured to compare an energy level of audio signal 326 to an energy
level of audio signal 426. Audio signal compare logic 508 may include a
signal energy determining module to determine the energy levels of audio
signals 326 and 426. Alternatively, audio signal 418 may provide the
energy level (or other attribute) of audio signal 426 in digital or other
form. Audio signal compare logic 508 compares the energy level of audio
signal 326 to the energy level of audio signal 426. If the energy level
of audio signal 326 is less than the energy level of audio signal 426,
this indicates that headset 504 was relatively closer to the user's mouth
than was handset 502 while voicing the greeting or other voice
information that is received by microphones 312 and 322. Thus, it is
assumed that the user intends to conduct the telephone call while
speaking into, and listening to audio from headset 504 rather than
handset 502. In this case, audio source determination 528 is configured
to indicate that audio related to the telephone call is to be routed
through headset 502.

[0074]Alternatively, if the energy level of audio signal 326 was greater
than the energy level of audio signal 426, this indicates that handset
502 was likely closer to the user's mouth than headset 504 while voicing
the greeting or other voice information that was received by microphones
312 and 322. Thus, it is assumed that the user intends to conduct the
telephone call while speaking into, and listening to audio from handset
502, rather than headset 504. In this case, audio source determination
528 is configured to indicate that audio related to the telephone call is
to be routed through handset 502.

[0076]When audio source determination 528 indicates that audio related to
the telephone call is to be routed through headset 504, audio source
determination signal 516 may direct headset 504 be enabled for routing
(through mobile phone handset 502 as described above) of subsequent audio
related to the telephone call. In such an embodiment, the user of headset
504 uses speaker 318 to hear audio, and uses microphone 322 to provide
voice for the telephone call. Furthermore, in an embodiment, speaker 314
and microphone 312 of handset 502 may be disabled in this situation, if
desired.

[0077]In the embodiments of FIGS. 2-5, the audio routing determination is
performed in a mobile phone handset. In another embodiment, the audio
routing determination is performed in a wireless headset. For example,
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart 600 providing example steps in a wireless
headset for routing audio related to a telephone call, according to
example embodiments of the present invention. Other structural and
operational embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the
relevant art(s) based on the following discussion.

[0078]Flowchart 600 begins with step 602. In step 602, an audio signal
associated with a received telephone call is received. For example, in
FIG. 1, after user 102 initiates answering telephone call 114 on mobile
phone handset 104 (e.g., by pressing answer button 118), user 102
typically voices a greeting, such as "Hello" into microphone 122 of
mobile phone handset 104 or microphone 112 of wireless headset 112. User
102 typically directs his/her voice into the one of mobile phone handset
104 or wireless headset 112 that user 102 intends to use for conducting
telephone call 114, although the voice may be heard more faintly by the
other of mobile phone handset 104 or wireless headset 112 (if on). Thus,
this voice information is received by one or both microphones, and is
converted into an electrical audio signal by microphone 122 of mobile
phone handset 104 and/or by microphone 112 of wireless headset 112.

[0079]In step 604, the audio signal is compared to a reference signal to
generate an audio source determination. In the embodiment of flowchart
600, the audio signal is compared to a reference signal in the wireless
headset to determine into which of the handset or headset the voice
information was directed by the user. For instance, in an embodiment, the
reference signal is a predetermined threshold value, and the audio signal
may be generated from voice information received at the handset or
headset. In another embodiment, the reference signal may be a second
audio signal. For example, the first audio signal may be generated from
voice information received at the wireless headset, and the second audio
signal may be generated from the voice information received at the mobile
phone handset. In any event, the compare of the audio signal to the
reference signal is performed in the wireless headset to generate a
determination of whether the user is directing voice information into the
microphone of the headset or a microphone of the handset. Example
embodiments for performing step 604 using compare logic are described in
detail further below with regard to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0080]In step 606, one of a first microphone of the headset and a second
microphone of the handset is selected to provide further audio
information associated with the received telephone call based on the
audio source determination. If it is determined from step 604 that the
voice information was directed by the user into the wireless headset,
audio related to the telephone call is routed through the wireless
headset. Conversely, if it is determined from step 604 that the voice
information was directed by the user into the mobile phone handset, audio
related to the telephone call is routed through the mobile phone handset.

[0081]Embodiments for performing flowchart 600 may be implemented in a
wireless headset in a variety of ways. For example, FIGS. 7 and 8 show
block diagrams of systems for determining the routing for telephone call
audio, according to example embodiments of the present invention.

[0082]FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a telephone call routing system 700,
according to an example embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 7, system 700 includes a mobile phone handset 702 and a headset 704.
Mobile phone handset 702 includes an answer switch 720, first microphone
312, first speaker 314, and first communication interface 316. Headset
304 includes second speaker 318, second communication interface 320,
second microphone 322, an audio signal compare logic 706, and a threshold
708. System 700 is generally similar to system 300 of FIG. 3 described
above, except that the audio signal compare is performed in a wireless
headset rather than a mobile phone handset.

[0083]A user of mobile phone handset 702 interacts with answer switch 720
to initiate answering an incoming telephone call. Answer switch 720
generates a call answered signal 710, which is received by first
communication interface 316. First communication interface 316 transmits
call answered signal 710 to communication interface 320 of headset 704 in
first communication signal 712. Communication interface 320 generates a
call answered signal 714, which is received by audio signal compare logic
706. Call answered signal 714 indicates to audio signal compare logic 706
that a telephone call has been answered at handset 702, and that a
comparison must be performed to determine whether to route audio related
to the telephone call through handset 702 or headset 704.

[0084]Microphone 322 receives voice information 424 associated with the
telephone call. For example, in an embodiment, voice information 424 is a
received greeting, such as "Hello", from a user of mobile phone handset
702/headset 704 when first answering the telephone call. Microphone 322
converts voice information 424 into audio signal 426 that contains voice
information 424 in electrical form.

[0085]Note that in an embodiment, headset 704 may include speech
recognition software/hardware to more accurately detect a received
greeting, such as "Hello" for English or comparable greeting for any
other language. By detecting such a greeting, headset 704 can better
verify that a telephone call has been initiated.

[0087]For example, in an embodiment, audio signal compare logic 706 may be
configured to compare an energy level of audio signal 426 to threshold
708, which may be a predetermined threshold energy level. Thus, audio
signal compare logic 706 may measure an energy level of audio signal 326.
Audio signal compare logic 706 compares the determined energy level of
audio signal 426 to threshold 708. If the energy level of audio signal
426 is greater than threshold 708, this indicates that the user of
wireless headset 704 is likely holding (or wearing) headset 704
relatively close to the user's mouth while voicing the greeting or other
voice information that is received by microphone 322, as compared to
mobile phone handset 702. Thus, it is assumed that the user intends to
conduct the telephone call while speaking into, and listening to audio
from wireless headset 704, rather than mobile phone handset 702. In this
case, audio source determination 716 is configured to indicate that audio
related to the telephone call is to be routed through headset 704.

[0088]Alternatively, if the energy level of audio signal 426 was less than
threshold 708, this indicates that headset 704 is likely relatively
further from the user's mouth while voicing the greeting or other voice
information that is received by microphone 322, as opposed to handset
702. Thus, it is assumed that the user intends to conduct the telephone
call while speaking into, and listening to audio from handset 702, rather
than headset 704. In this case, audio source determination 716 is
configured to indicate that audio related to the telephone call is to be
routed through handset 702.

[0090]When audio source determination 716 indicates that audio related to
the telephone call is to be routed through handset 702, audio source
determination 716 may direct headset 704 to power down, to disable
microphone 322 and/or speaker 318, etc., if desired in a particular
embodiment. Furthermore, subsequent audio related to the telephone call
is not routed to and from headset 704.

[0091]FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a telephone call routing system 800,
according to another example embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 8, system 800 includes a mobile phone handset 802 and a
headset 804 which are respectively similar to mobile phone handset 702
and headset 704 of FIG. 7, with some differences provided in the
following description. System 800 also has some similarity to system 500
of FIG. 5 described above, except that the audio signal compare is
performed in a wireless headset rather than a mobile phone handset.

[0095]Microphone 322 receives voice information 424 associated with the
telephone call. Microphone 322 converts voice information 424 into an
audio signal 426 that contains voice information 424 in electrical form.
Note that because the user likely directed the voice greeting into one or
the other of microphones 312 and 322, the corresponding one of voice
information 324 and 424 will be received at a higher
energy/amplitude/power, while the other of the microphones 312 and 322
will receive the corresponding one of voice information 324 and 424 at a
lower energy/amplitude/power because it is received at a greater
distance, etc.

[0097]For example, if the attribute of audio signal 426 is greater than
the same attribute of audio signal 326, this may indicate that the user
of wireless headset 804 is likely holding (or wearing) headset 804
relatively close to the user's mouth while voicing the greeting or other
voice information that is received by microphone 322, as compared to
mobile phone handset 802. Thus, it is assumed that the user intends to
conduct the telephone call while speaking into, and listening to audio
from wireless headset 804, rather than mobile phone handset 802. In this
case, audio source determination 816 is configured to indicate that audio
related to the telephone call is to be routed through headset 804.

[0098]Alternatively, if the attribute of audio signal 426 was less than
the same attribute of audio signal 326, this may indicate that headset
804 is likely relatively further from the user's mouth while voicing the
greeting or other voice information that is received by microphone 322,
as compared to handset 802. Thus, it is assumed that the user intends to
conduct the telephone call while speaking into, and listening to audio
from handset 802, rather than headset 804. In this case, audio source
determination 816 is configured to indicate that audio related to the
telephone call is to be routed through handset 802.

[0100]When audio source determination 816 indicates that audio related to
the telephone call is to be routed through handset 802, audio source
determination 816 may direct headset 804 to power down, to disable
microphone 322 and/or speaker 318, etc., if desired in a particular
embodiment. Furthermore, subsequent audio related to the telephone call
is not routed to and from headset 804.

[0101]Note that in an embodiment, a comparison with a predetermined
threshold may be performed in a headset of an audio signal generated in a
mobile phone handset. For reasons of brevity, such an embodiment is not
described in detail, but would be apparent to persons skilled in the
relevant art(s) from the teachings herein.

Example Mobile Phone and Headset Embodiments

[0102]Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in a variety
of devices, and can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, and
any combination of the same. Embodiments can be implemented in digital
form (e.g., digital logic, processors, including DSPs, etc.) and/or in
analog form (e.g., using analog comparators, amplifiers, etc.). Example
mobile phone devices in which embodiments can be implemented include cell
phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants) and other mobile computers,
BLACKBERRY devices, handheld music players, etc.

[0103]For instance, FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of an example cell phone
900 in which an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented.
As shown in FIG. 9, cell phone 900 includes a SIM card 902, a memory 904,
a digital baseband section 906, a display controller 908, a display 910,
an analog baseband section 912, an RF transceiver 914, an RF switch 916,
an antenna 918, a speaker 920, a microphone 922, and a keypad 924. SIM
card 902 and memory 904 each are coupled to digital baseband section 906.
An output of digital baseband section 906 is coupled to display
controller 908. An output of display controller 908 is coupled to display
910. Digital baseband section 906 is coupled to analog baseband section
912. Analog baseband section 912 is coupled to RF transceiver 914. RF
transceiver 914 is coupled to RF switch 916. RF switch 916 is coupled to
antenna 918. Speaker 920, microphone 922, and keypad 924 are each coupled
to analog baseband section 912. Operation of these elements of cell phone
900 is well known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s), and thus is
not described in detail herein for purposes of brevity.

[0104]Elements of the mobile phone handsets illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, 7,
and 8 correspond to similarly named elements of cell phone 900.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, audio signal compare logic 1002, which
may be one of audio signal compare logics 308, 408, and 508 shown in
FIGS. 3-5, may be implemented in digital baseband section 906 of FIG. 9.
Thus, audio signal compare logics 308, 408, and 508 may be implemented in
digital form. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, audio signal compare
logic 1102, which may be one of audio signal compare logics 308, 408, and
508 shown in FIGS. 3-5, may be implemented in analog baseband section 912
of FIG. 9. RF transceiver 914 of cell phone 900 is used for telephone
calls to communicate with a remote entity. Communication interface 316 of
mobile phone handsets 302, 402, 502, 702, and 802 shown in FIGS. 3-5, 7,
and 8 may include RF transceiver 914 shown in FIG. 9 for communications
with a wireless headset, or may include an alternative RF transceiver
dedicated for communication with the wireless headset.

[0105]FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of an example BLUETOOTH headset 1200
in which an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. As
shown in FIG. 12, headset 1200 includes a microphone 1202, an earphone
1204, an audio CODEC (coder-decoder) 1206, a BLUETOOTH processor 1208, a
BLUETOOTH radio 1210, an RF filter 1212, an antenna 1214, and a
power/battery management module 1216. Microphone 1202 and earphone 1204
are each coupled to audio CODEC 1206. Audio CODEC 1206 is coupled to
BLUETOOTH processor 1208. BLUETOOTH processor 1208 is coupled to
BLUETOOTH radio 1210. BLUETOOTH radio 1210 is coupled to RF filter 1212.
RF filter 1212 is coupled to antenna 1214. Power/battery management
module 1216 provides power to audio CODEC 1206, BLUETOOTH processor 1208,
and BLUETOOTH radio 1210. Operation of these elements of BLUETOOTH
headset 1200 is well known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s), and
thus is not described in detail herein for purposes of brevity.

[0106]Elements of the wireless headsets illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, 7, and 8
correspond to similarly named elements of BLUETOOTH headset 1200.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, audio signal compare logic 1302, which
may be one of audio signal compare logics 706 and 806 shown in FIGS. 7
and 8, may be implemented in BLUETOOTH processor 1208 of FIG. 12.
Alternatively, audio signal compare logic 1302 may be implemented in
audio CODEC 1206. Audio signal compare logics 706 and 806 may be
implemented in analog or digital form. Communication interface 320 of
headsets 304, 404, 504, 704, and 804 shown in FIGS. 3-5, 7, and 8 may
include BLUETOOTH radio 1210 shown in FIG. 12.

Example Software Embodiments

[0107]In this document, the terms "computer program medium" and "computer
usable medium" are used to generally refer to media such as a removable
storage unit, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive, and signals
(i.e., electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other types of signals
capable of being received by a communications interface). These computer
program products are means for providing software to a computer system
and to storing software in a computer system or other device. The
invention, in an embodiment, is directed to such computer program
products.

[0108]In an embodiment where aspects of the present invention are
implemented using software/firmware, the software/firmware may be stored
in a computer program product and loaded into a computer system or other
device using a removable storage drive, hard drive, or communications
interface. The computer system or other device may execute the
software/firmware from storage such as a hard drive or memory device
(e.g., a ROM device such as an electrically erasable ROM, electrically
programmable ROM, a RAM device such as a static RAM, dynamic RAM, etc.).
This control logic software/firmware, when executed by a processor,
causes the processor to perform the functions of the invention as
described herein.

[0109]According to an example embodiment, a device, such as a mobile phone
(e.g., cell phone, PDA, BLACKBERRY device, handheld music player, etc.)
or headset, may execute computer-readable instructions to enact routing
of a phone call through a mobile phone or headset, as further described
elsewhere herein, and as recited in the claims appended hereto.

CONCLUSION

[0110]While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by
way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons
skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can
be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should
not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but
should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their
equivalents.